HOME VAN NEWSLETTER 12/1/12

NEEDED: SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS LAOTIAN

A Gainesville resident alerted us to the presence of an elderly Asian man who is living behind a power block in the Depot Ave/6th Street area. She is very concerned because he’s old and speaks no English. She thought he might be Vietnamese, so Pat and Father Bui from St. Patricks visited him. Father Bui says he is Laotian. This man needs help and is very ‘help-able’ - friendly, cheerful, and accepting of help when it’s offered. We would like to be able to steer him in the direction of getting services, but first we have to be able to communicate with him. Please email me if you know of anyone who speaks Laotian and would be willing to help, or if you can think of any strategies for finding such a person.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING UPDATE:

All over town there are veterinarians and Unitarians and all manner of folk stuffing Christmas stocking for our homeless brothers and sisters. If you are bringing a large number of stockings, drop me an email and let me know – ballpark – how many. That’s probably unneccesary, but I’m afflicted with hyper-vigilance, and it makes me happy to have a guesstimate of how many stockings there will be. If you need to bring stockings to Home Van Central, let me know that also, and we will make the arrangements. We are going to need a few toys also, since there are about 7 children, in the 6-12 age group, boys and girls, whose mothers depend on us. Toys can be dropped off at Home Van Central.

Thank you for all the mylar blankets donated! We now have a supply that should last the winter.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE....

Last week, as I watched video footage of people clubbing each other over the head during Black Friday stampedes, I realized how grateful I am to be part of the Home Van family – for the homeless people who inspire me with their patience, courage, and goodness in caring for each other, for all the volunteers, the donators, the people who pray for us and those we serve, the soup makers, the allies in the Homeless Coalition, the GPD and ACSO folks who help us out – the church and civic groups who are there for us, the UF students, the pharmacy volunteers, those who care for animals, the creators of mitzvahs – too many to remember. I am blessed to know you. Because of you I’m not a depressed, alienated sad sack, as I surely would be without you. May our tribe increase!

Peace and love to everyone,

arupa

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The Home Van needs tents, tarps, bottled water,Vienna sausages, creamy peanut butter, jelly, candles, white tube socks, batteries, and games. Call 352-372-4825 to arrange for drop off. Financial donations to the Home Van should be in the form of checks made out to Citizens for Social Justice, Inc., earmarked for the Home Van, and mailed to 307 SE 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601, or can be made online at http://homevan.blogspot.com/

THE HOMEVAN IS A PROJECT OF CITIZENS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, INC. (FDACSREGISTRATION #CH35643). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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